The disruption of NEAT1-miR-125b-5p-SLC1A5 cascade defines the oncogenicity and differential immune profile in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Metabolic reprogramming sustains malignant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to overcome stressful microenvironments, and increased glutamine uptake is a common metabolic hallmark in cancers. Since metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a new therapeutic target for tumor cells, understanding the regulatory axis of glutamine uptake in HNSCC and its potential downstream effects in its pathogenesis of HNSCC would be incredibly beneficial. Bioinformatic analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-HNSCC dataset and RNAseq analysis performed on HNSCC indicated that SLC1A5 was the most dysregulated transporter among the seven homologous glutamate or neutral amino acid transporters in the SLC1A family.

The expression of immune co-stimulators as a prognostic predictor of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Background/purpose: T cells require second immune checkpoint molecules for activation and immune memory after antigen presentation. We found that inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) has been a favorable prognostic factor amongst B7 immune checkpoint co-stimulators (ICSs) families in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and oral SCC (OSCC).

Materials And Methods: This study analyzed the expression of non-B7 tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily ICSs in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC cohort, our OSCC cohort, and TCGA pan-cancer datasets.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma at the parotid gland.

MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas are low-grade extra-nodal B-cell lymphomas that may involve various sites in the head and neck including the thyroid, salivary, and lacrimal glands. Development of MALT lymphoma in the head and neck is often associated with auto-immune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome or Hashimoto thyroiditis. Here, we report a case of a MALT lymphoma of the left buucal mucosa that likely arose in the parotid gland.

The upregulation of VGF enhances the progression of oral squamous carcinoma.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent neoplasm worldwide, necessitating a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis. VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF), a neuropeptide, plays critical roles in nerve and endocrine cell regulation.

Methods: In this study, the TCGA datasets were initially screened, identifying the upregulation of VGF in various malignancies.

Pyruvate Kinase Differentially Alters Metabolic Signatures during Head and Neck Carcinogenesis.

During glycolysis, the muscle isoform of pyruvate kinase PKM2 produces ATP in exchange for dephosphorylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) into pyruvate. PKM2 has been considered as a tumor-promoting factor in most cancers, whereas the regulatory role of PKM2 during head and neck carcinogenesis remained to be delineated. PKM2 mRNA and protein expression was examined in head and neck tumorous specimens.

Protective Effect of Electroacupuncture on Chemotherapy-Induced Salivary Gland Hypofunction in a Mouse Model.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can impair salivary gland (SG) function, which causes xerostomia and exacerbate other side effects of chemotherapy and oral infection, reducing patients' quality of life. This animal study aimed to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) as a means of preventing xerostomia induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). A xerostomia mouse model was induced via four tail vein injections of 5-FU (80 mg/kg/dose).

Identification of Somatic Mutations in Plasma Cell-Free DNA from Patients with Metastatic Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The accurate diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) requires an understanding of its genomic alterations. Liquid biopsies, especially cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis, are a minimally invasive technique used for genomic profiling. We conducted comprehensive whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 50 paired OSCC cell-free plasma with whole blood samples using multiple mutation calling pipelines and filtering criteria.

The Concordant Disruption of B7/CD28 Immune Regulators Predicts the Prognosis of Oral Carcinomas.

Immune modulation is a critical factor in determining the survival of patients with malignancies, including those with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and head and neck SCC (HNSCC). Immune escape or stimulation may be driven by the B7/CD28 family and other checkpoint molecules, forming ligand-receptor complexes with immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Since the members of B7/CD28 can functionally compensate for or counteract each other, the concomitant disruption of multiple members of B7/CD28 in OSCC or HNSCC pathogenesis remains elusive.

IFIT2 Depletion Promotes Cancer Stem Cell-like Phenotypes in Oral Cancer.

(1) Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small cell population associated with chemoresistance, metastasis and increased mortality rate in oral cancer. Interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats 2 (IFIT2) depletion results in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance in oral cancer. To date, no study has demonstrated the effect of IFIT2 depletion on the CSC-like phenotype in oral cancer cells.

Improving the Diagnostic Performance by Adding Methylation Marker to Conventional Visual Examination in Identifying Oral Cancer.

Background: Visual oral examination (VOE) is a conventional oral cancer screening method. This study aimed to evaluate the value of methylation marker to assist VOE in identifying oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OED/OSCC) from non-cancerous lesions in a real-world situation.

Methods: 201 patients with high-risk personal habits who self-perceived oral anomaly were VOE examined, methylation ( tested, and histologically diagnosed.

Aberrant , , and expression in the cytobrushed samples from oral potentially malignant disorders.

Background/purpose: MicroRNA (miRNA) alterations play important roles in the neoplastic process of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Upregulation of and and downregulation of are frequent events in OSCC. The aberrances of these miRNAs in oral potentially malignant lesions (OPMD) were studied to determine their status during the establishment of OSCC.

Exploiting salivary miR-375 as a clinical biomarker of oral potentially malignant disorder.

Background/purpose: Oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) is an important premalignancy worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously expressed non-coding RNAs that regulate the post-transcriptional levels of targeted mRNAs. () is markedly downregulated in oral carcinoma tissues and plays an oncogenic role in oral carcinogenesis.

Co-upregulation of and its host gene lncRNA in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background/purpose: Several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) harbor miRNA in their genome. MIR31HG harbors miR-31 in its intron and it is speculated that they are co-expressed in tumors. This study addressed whether frequent miR-31 and MIR31HG co-upregulation occurred in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its clinical implications.

Risk factors for reconstruction plate exposure after surgery in oral cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to elaborate risk factors for reconstruction plate exposure after wide excision in oral cancer patients, and to find out the most effective treatment.

Materials And Methods: We include patients who underwent ablative surgery for oral cancer and reconstruction plate fixation from the year 2010 to 2016, separate them into two groups according to whether the hardware was exposed, compare risk factors including age, tumor site, staging, comorbidities, and previous treatment between the two groups. The treatment course and outcome were also recorded.

Precise Identification of Recurrent Somatic Mutations in Oral Cancer Through Whole-Exome Sequencing Using Multiple Mutation Calling Pipelines.

Understanding the genomic alterations in oral carcinogenesis remains crucial for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To unveil the mutational spectrum, in this study, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES), using six mutation calling pipelines and multiple filtering criteria applied to 50 paired OSCC samples. The tumor mutation burden extracted from the data set of somatic variations was significantly associated with age, tumor staging, and survival.

Lack of Salivary Long Non-Coding RNA XIST Expression Is Associated with Increased Risk of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Studies have shown that there is a disparity between males and females in south-east Asia with regard to oral cancer morbidity. A previous study found that oral cancer tissue showed loss of heterozygosity of the X-linked lncRNA XIST gene. We suggest that XIST may play an important role in oral cancer morbidity when associated with sex.

LncRNA Drives Oncogenicity by Inhibiting the Limb-Bud and Heart Development Gene () during Oral Carcinoma.

The host gene () encodes a long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) that harbors in its intron 2; promotes malignant neoplastic progression. Overexpression of and of occurs during oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the downstream effectors modulated by during OSCC pathogenesis remain unclear.

Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction for detection and quantification of cell-free DNA TP53 target somatic mutations in oral cancer.

Background: TP53 mutation is a driver mutation of oral carcinogenesis. This study investigated cancerous and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to detect the target hotspot somatic mutation of TP53.

Objective: TP53 target hotspot mutations were determined in surgically resected primary tumor samples from 107 OSCC patients.

The upregulation of oncogenic miRNAs in swabbed samples obtained from oral premalignant and malignant lesions.

Objectives: Oncogenic miRNAs upregulated in OSCC play a range of versatile roles in oral carcinogenesis. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are the antecedent lesions to oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) and they require a definitive diagnosis and early intervention. This study hypothesizes the presence of aberrant oncogenic miRNA expression in swabbed oral lesions.

Cigarette Smoke Containing Acrolein Upregulates EGFR Signaling Contributing to Oral Tumorigenesis In Vitro and In Vivo.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 80-90% of all intraoral malignant neoplasms. The single greatest risk factor for oral cancer is tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Aberrations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway features prominently in oral tumorigenesis and progression.

Comparison of surgical outcomes between primary plate and fibular flap transfer for reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects.

Purpose: Although two ways of reconstruction have been reviewed for a long period, comparison of large sample size with nearly randomized patient selection is rare. Here, we compare the surgical outcomes of these two methods from two large medical institutes.

Methods: Totally 176 patients were included from two medical centers with different protocols, 62 patients from MacKay Hospital repair defects with fibula flaps using reconstruction plates.

Progressive muscle loss is an independent predictor for survival in locally advanced oral cavity cancer: A longitudinal study.

Background And Purpose: To investigate the association between progressive muscle loss and survival outcomes of patients with advanced-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) undergoing surgery and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy.

Methods: We analyzed the computed tomography (CT) scans of 155 patients with stage III-IVB OSCC at baseline, at simulation CT for radiotherapy, and at 3- and 9-months post-treatment. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured using CT at the C3 vertebral level.